New analysis by West Health Institute finds medical device interoperability could save more than $30 billion a year

A new analysis released today by the West Health Institute (WHI) at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health estimates that medical device interoperability - the ability of medical devices and health care systems to ...
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The Gary and Mary West Health Institute is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) medical research organization whose mission is to lower health care costs by researching innovative patient-centered solutions that deliver the right care at the right place ...
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A new analysis released today by the West Health Institute (WHI) at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health estimates that medical device interoperability - the ability of medical devices and health care systems to seamlessly communicate and exchange information - could be a source of more than $30 billion a year in savings and improve patient care and safety. Download the study at www.westhealth.org/institute/interoperability. (PRNewsFoto/West Health Institute)

The Gary and Mary West Health Institute is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) medical research organization whose mission is to lower health care costs by researching innovative patient-centered solutions that deliver the right care at the right place at the right time. This is accomplished by conducting innovative medical research, educating key stakeholders and advocating on behalf of patients. Solely funded by pioneering philanthropists Gary and Mary West, it is part of West Health, an initiative combining four separate organizations - the West Health Institute, the West Health Policy Center, the West Health Investment Fund, and the West Health Incubator. (PRNewsFoto/West Health Institute)

Analysis released during WHI's testimony at Congressional hearing on health care information technology

In a hospital today, patients at the point-of-care are treated with six to 12 medical devices in a typical intensive care unit, including defibrillators, electrocardiographs, vital sign monitors, ventilators, and infusion pumps. These devices are often from different manufacturers and not connected, requiring a costly, complex information technology (IT) infrastructure and introducing the potential for miscommunication that adversely affects patients.

"We see an enormous opportunity to use information technology and device innovation to bring about the much needed transformation in health care delivery," said Smith. "Today's hospitals are filled with medical devices that are unable to share critical data, creating potential dangers to patients, as well as inefficiencies that put a tremendous financial burden on our health care system."

While there has been progress made in developing interoperability standards to date, the health care industry continues to fall short on adoption of those standards.

"Medical devices need to share data, based on standards, so that they can better inform clinicians and help patients," said Dr. Peter Pronovost, medical director for the Center for Innovation in Quality Patient Care at John Hopkins University. "By doing so, we can both improve quality and reduce costs."

This analysis, driven by WHI's work with the Medical Device Interoperability Coordination Council (MDICC), also illustrates how interoperability can positively impact patient care with several case studies. For example, functional interoperability could prevent adverse events due to drug errors. If a cancer patient's pain medication is distributed by an infusion pump that receives direct information from that patient's vital sign monitor, it could ensure the patient isn't over-medicated by mistake; these systems are typically independent and require multiple manual settings, all of which increase the potential for error and raise costs.

ABOUT WEST HEALTH INSTITUTEThe Gary and Mary West Health Institute is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) medical research organization whose mission is to lower health care costs by developing innovative patient-centered solutions that deliver the right care at the right place at the right time. This is accomplished by conducting innovative medical research, educating key stakeholders and advocating on behalf of patients. Solely funded by pioneering philanthropists Gary and Mary West, the Institute is part of West Health, an initiative combining four separate organizations – the West Health Institute, the West Health Policy Center, the West Health Investment Fund and the West Health Incubator. The Institute is located in San Diego, California. For more information, find us at www.westhealth.org and follow us @westhealth.